Combination tabbed address label and stamp device

ABSTRACT

A combination tabbed stamp and return address label device and method for closing a folded mailing letter or pamphlet with an open seam by attaching a tabbed stamp and a return address label having overlapping tab portions separated by a perforated region to the corners of the folded letter or pamphlet. The stamp space and printed return address labels are attached respectively to the front corners of the letter or pamphlet, while the overlapping tab portions are utilized to close the folded letter or pamphlet. The perforated regions placed over the open seam facilitate the opening of the letter or pamphlet by the recipient.

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims benefit of a co-pending provisional application serial No. 60/255,409 filed Dec. 15, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a device for closing a letter or pamphlet. More specifically, the invention is a combination of a tabbed address label and stamp affixing member for closing a letter or a pamphlet by attaching a quick releasing stamp and label having an overlapping tab portion to the first upper corner thereof and affixing a stamp bearing device, or label on the second upper corner thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The related art of interest describes various envelope tabs, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for a letter or pamphlet closing device integrating the stamp and a return address label in tabbed form. The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,758, issued on Nov. 27, 1973 to Howard W. Sternberg, describes a method and aid for the automatic sorting of mail by zip code in a post office comprising a strip of paper (presumed) having a postage stamp printed on one portion separated by a perforated region from the other portion which has a series of five columns of sequentially arranged numbers from zero to nine. The strip is entirely coated with conventional stamp adhesive on the reverse side for attachment of the stamp to the right corner of the envelope. A scanner system is required to read the marking of an electro-conductive ink or pencil made at the post office on the numbered portion for sorting purposes. The automatic sortable stamp and zip code label is distinguishable for its requirement for post office use to remain on the envelope and which is not available to the general public.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 464,085, issued on Dec. 1, 1891 to David Skutsch, describes a safety address stamp comprising a strip of flexible material (presumed to be paper) having a return address printed on both equal size portions and separated by a perforation. The reverse side of the strip is entirely gummed for attachment to an envelope at one end to secure the closed envelope from unauthorized tampering. A postage stamp can be placed on the front portion. The safety address stamp is distinguishable for its required return address on both portions and the extensive gummed rear side.

[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,697,648 and 5,848,809, issued on Dec. 16, 1997 and Dec. 15, 1998 to Glenn Petkovsek, describe an integral special service mailing assembly utilizing a single sheet comprising a label and a return postcard integrally formed but removably attached. The mailing assembly is distinguishable for its required placement on one side of a package.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,420,045, issued on May 6, 1947 to Richard S. Krug, describes a merchandising label with a captive coupon for securing merchandise such as a capped cylindrical container comprising a square shaped sheet material printed with a label indicia and an extending tab portion with “coupon” printed on an area of the square sheet adjacent the tab. The entire label is coated with adhesive and the coupon tab is folded under for placement on the cap. The merchandising label is distinguishable for its folded under tab portion.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,443, issued on Jul. 20, 1971 to Julius C. Demetrius, Jr. et al., describes an assembled label for a container for use in blind clinical studies of a medicament comprising a package portion and a file portion which is detachable. The blank label has at least three four-sided panels joined successively on opposite sides with another four-side panel joined to the side of the second panel. The label is distinguishable for its required numerous parts.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,954, issued on Dec. 12, 1978 to Rollin T. White, describes a printed product and dosage label comprising at least three sections. The first section has product dosage label comprising at least three sections. The first section has product-dosage information indicia on its front surface and permanently affixing adhesive on its rear surface. The middle section is separably connected and has additional product-dosage indicia in front and a removably affixing adhesive in back. The third section with additional product-dosage indicia can be separably connected and coated with adhesive. The label is distinguishable for having at least three sections printed with product-dosage indicia.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,827, issued on Feb. 7, 1984 to Myles N. Murray, describes a document mailer and postal system in FIG. 3 comprising a mailer envelope with a window on one edge over which an attached (by a gummed tab) return receipt having a gummed adhesive edge is overlapped. The return receipt on the envelope.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,136, issued on Aug. 18, 1992 to Phillip C. Eickhoff et al., describes a stamp pouch comprising a flexible Kraft paper back sheet and a flexible transparent top sheet coated with a cohesive and including between a postage stamp. The stamp pouch is distinguishable for its pouch structure.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,222, issued on Sep. 15, 1998 to Kenneth E. Shaffer, describes a computer disk pocket label for attachment to a compact disk jacket comprising a base portion attached to the disk and a flapper portion creating an envelope. The pocket label is distinguishable for its pocket structure.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,075, issued on Apr. 20, 1999 to David B. Edwards, describes a pocket shaped security label comprising a bar code on the top surface and a pull tab inserted to rip open the top surface to prevent recognition of the optically readable pattern. The security label is distinguishable for its pocketed tab construction.

[0013] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is a combination device for closing letters or pamphlets by attaching a tabbed stamp and a tabbed return address label having the overlapping tab portion separated by a perforated region to the corners of the folded letter or pamphlet. The stamp and address label is attached to the front of the letter or pamphlet, while the overlapping tab portion is utilized to fasten the letter or pamphlet closed.

[0015] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a combination tabbed stamp and label device for closing a letter or pamphlet.

[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a method for closing a letter or pamphlet at its corners for mailing.

[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a combination tabbed stamp and label having a perforated region for enabling the opening of the letter or pamphlet by the recipient.

[0018] Still another object of the invention is to provide a combination tabbed stamp space and a printed return label.

[0019] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which in inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0020] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The sole Figure is a front perspective view of a combination tabbed address label and stamp device according to the present invention with the stamp tab exploded and the tabbed label affixed to a folded mailing letter or pamphlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The sole Figure illustrates the combination tabbed address label and stamp device 10 attached by adhesive coatings 12 on the rear surfaces of the tabbed address label 14 in the left corner and the tabbed stamp bearing label 16 in the right corner of a folded mailing letter or pamphlet 18. The tabbed address label 14 and the tabbed stamp bearing label 16 are bent at the perforated region 20 over the open seam 22 with the tab portion 24 adhered to the rear surface of the mailing letter or pamphlet 18. A conventional appropriate postage stamp (not shown) is added to the postage space portion 26 of the tabbed stamp bearing label 16 after positioning of the label 16. The perforated region 20 facilitates the opening of the mailed letter or pamphlet 18 by the recipient.

[0023] Exemplary dimensions of the combination tabbed address label and stamp bearing label device 10 are as follows:

[0024] Tabbed stamp bearing label 14:2 in. length, 0.9 in. width; the postage space portion 26, 1 in. length; the perforated region 20 spaced 0.25 in. from the postage space portion 26; and the tab portion 24, 0.75 in.

[0025] Thus, an economical, versatile and effective method and means for sealing a mailing letter or pamphlet and facilitating its opening by the recipient has been shown.

[0026] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I Claim:
 1. A combination tabbed address label and stamp bearing device for closing a mailing letter or pamphlet comprising: a pair of rectangular paper labels having a front surface and an adhesive backing surface; a perforated region dividing each rectangular paper label into areas of a major portion and a minor portion; the stamp bearing device having a stamp affixed or printed on its front surface, and the major portion of a larger sized label having a printed address; and the major portions of each label adhered to a front surface proximate to each corner of a folded mailing letter or pamphlet, and the minor portions of each label adhered to the rear surface thereof, with the perforated region of each label overlying an open seam of the folded mailing letter or pamphlet.
 2. The combination device according to claim 1, wherein the perforated region facilitates the opening of the folded mailing letter or pamphlet by a recipient.
 3. The combination tabbed address label and stamp bearing device of claim 2 for releasably closing a mailing letter comprising: said tabbed address label disposed for positioning in a first location on said letter; said stamp bearing device disposed for, positioning on a second, spaced, location on said letter means associated with said stamp bearing device and said tabbed label to provide for rapid opening of said letter along said perforated section of stamp bearing device and said tabbed address label.
 4. A combination tabbed address and stamp bearing device for releasably closing a letter comprising: an address label disposed for adhesively attachment to said letter, said address label forming two portions, each portion separated by a perforation with one surface of said address labels being disposed for placing an address thereon and the second surface disposed for attachment to said letter; a stamp bearing device disposed for adhesively attachment to said letter in a position which is in spaced relation with said address label, said stamp bearing device having two portions, each portion separated by a perforation, said stamp bearing device having an inner surface disposed for placing an adhesive thereon and an outer surface disposed for receiving a stamp adhesively thereon. 